The AEP Fitness Center extended an unused basement structure in northern Oklahoma City into a sports and leisure hub. A series of arched steel trusses were placed over an existing concrete basement. The trusses are clad with industrial-scaled profile metal sheeting to enclose a singular hangar-like volume with fully-glazed gables.

Two boxes were then inserted: a single storey steel-clad volume that punches through the front gable to provide an entry vestibule to the east; and a larger cube within the central space that contained two racquetball courts within and an adaptable climbing wall on its western face. Additional internal facilities included a basketball court, fitness studios of varied sizes, changing and locker rooms and a café. On the outside a running track, courtyards, terraces and a sunken retention pond (which doubled as a volleyball court) cater for a wide range of external activities.

In 2017 the centre was repurposed as the new home of the Oklahoma City Ballet. The original basketball court was replaced with a 4,500 square feet dance studio, with sprung floors and state of the art sound system. This rehearsal space also doubles as a theatre with a retractable tiered seating. The former racquetball courts have been combined to create a second dance studio. The fitness studios and gym of the lower levels have also been reconfigured to create three new dance studios and wellness studio, the larger of these benefitting from the lightwell at the west.

Awards
  • 2016 AIA Central Oklahoma - Design Excellence Award - Merit Award
  • 2016 American Architecture Award
  • 2016 American Institute of Architects Central States Regional Design Excellence
  • 2016 Urban Land Institute award for Best Large Scale Infill Development Project
2015
Location
Oklahoma CIty, USA
Client
American Energy Partners LP

Next steps for Oklahoma City Ballet 02.11.17

Architecture and the Art of the Extra Ordinary at the British School at Rome 03.07.17

AHMM at the World Architecture Festival 18.11.16

AIA Central Oklahoma Design Excellence Awards 09.11.16

UK and US awards success 21.10.16

AEP Fitness wins American Architecture Award 30.08.16

World Architecture Festival Awards 2016 07.07.16

Allford
Hall
Monaghan
Morris